Canada's Top 10 Climate Startups Compete for $1.5M in Prizes

Canadian climate innovators are about to take center stage with technologies that could reshape how we tackle the climate crisis, and the timing couldn't be better.

The Climate Solutions Prize Festival announced its top 10 finalists for 2026, chosen from the strongest application pool in the competition's history. These teams will pitch their breakthrough solutions live to investors and industry leaders in Montreal on June 9, Dragons' Den style.

The finalists tackle everything from industrial waste to ocean health. Local Energy helps factories capture and reuse heat that would otherwise disappear into the air. Tydra Biomaterial Labs turns food scraps into chitin, a powerful material that cleans water and heals wounds. Neptune Nanotechnologies transforms discarded lobster shells into safe fire retardant for plastics.

Other standouts include Planetary, which removes carbon by restoring ocean alkalinity, and Tree Track Intelligence, which uses precision seedpods dropped by drones to restore wildfire damaged forests. Alter Biota mixes biochar from wood waste into concrete to make it stronger and lower carbon.

The June 8-9 festival at Montreal's Marché Bonsecours expects 2,000 participants from over 20 countries. Confirmed speakers include renowned scientist David Suzuki, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, and California State Senator Henry Stern.

Applications jumped 30% over last year, reflecting growing momentum in the climate tech sector. The prize now spans seven thematic tracks, including three new categories for nature and biotechnologies, resource technologies, and energy and power.

The Ripple Effect

Since launching in 2020, the Climate Solutions Prize has supported more than 1,400 innovators across 20 countries and awarded over $12 million in prizes. More importantly, winners have attracted $111 million in follow-on funding, proving that recognition opens doors to real investment.

"The research and solutions exist, and there is a growing base of climate focused investors and the talent to lead," says Galith Levy, CEO and co-founder of the Climate Solutions Prize. The challenge now is connecting innovations with the resources to bring them to market.

The festival will also award three additional prizes recognizing breakthrough university research, Quebec based climate startups, and student entrepreneurs building the next generation of solutions.

These 10 finalists prove Canada is building climate technologies the world needs, one breakthrough at a time.